JP2024049065A - Optical space communication control system, optical space communication control device, and optical space communication control method - Google Patents

Abstract

A process transition is detected, and the connection of an optical space communications device is controlled in response to the detected process transition.
[Solution] The optical space communications control system (100) comprises a first detection means (101) that detects a change in the connection relationship of a first optical space communications device, a second detection means (102) that detects a process transition based on the detected change in the connection relationship and planning information indicating the connection relationships between the optical space communications devices at each process, and a connection control means (103) that controls the connection destination of the first optical space communications device in accordance with the detected process transition.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an optical space communication control system, an optical space communication control device, and an optical space communication control method.

As a technology that takes into account movement patterns in optical space communication (optical wireless communication), which is communication using light propagating through space, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology that applies the movement patterns of end users associated with rush hour when rush hour is about to begin, and allocates optical wireless communication resources based on the movement patterns.

JP 2020-503729 A

However, the technology in Patent Document 1 controls optical wireless communication resources based on time, and if things do not proceed on schedule, necessary control may not be possible.

For example, when using optical space communications devices at construction sites, the transition of construction processes is not always completed on time.

One object of the present invention is to provide an optical space communication control system, an optical space communication control device, and an optical space communication control method that can detect process transitions and control the connection of an optical space communication device in response to the detected process transitions.

One aspect of the optical space communication control system of the present invention includes a first detection means for detecting a change in the connection relationship between a first optical space communication device and a second optical space communication device adjacent to the first optical space communication device, a second detection means for detecting a process transition based on the detected change in the connection relationship and planning information indicating the connection relationship between the first optical space communication device and the second optical space communication device in each process, and a connection control means for controlling the connection destination of the first optical space communication device in response to the detected process transition.

One aspect of the optical space communication control device of the present invention includes a first detection unit that detects a change in the connection relationship between a first optical space communication device and a second optical space communication device adjacent to the first optical space communication device, a second detection unit that detects a process transition based on the detected change in the connection relationship and planning information indicating the connection relationship between the first optical space communication device and the second optical space communication device in each process, and a connection control unit that controls the connection destination of the first optical space communication device in response to the detected process transition.

In one aspect of the optical space communication control method of the present invention, a computer detects a change in the connection relationship between a first optical space communication device and a second optical space communication device adjacent to the first optical space communication device, detects a process transition based on the detected change in the connection relationship and planning information indicating the connection relationship between the first optical space communication device and the second optical space communication device in each process, and controls the connection destination of the first optical space communication device in response to the detected process transition.

It is possible to detect process transitions and control the connection of the optical space communications device according to the detected process transitions.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an optical space communication control system according to a first embodiment. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating an example of a connection relationship between optical space communications devices in each step according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the optical space communication control system according to the first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an optical space communication control device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an optical space communications device including an optical space communications control system according to a second embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of a connection relationship between optical space communications devices in each step according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of plan information according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation for controlling a connection destination in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an optical space communication control system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation for notifying a process transition in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an optical space communication control system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of plan information according to the fourth embodiment. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of optical axis alignment by an optical space communications device. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of optical axis alignment by an optical space communications device. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an optical space communication control system according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation when an abnormality is detected in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an overview of the hardware of a computer according to an embodiment.

[First embodiment]
(Optical space communication control system)
Hereinafter, an optical space communication control system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The optical space communication control system 100 is a system that controls connections between optical space communication devices 10. An optical space communication network is a network that is composed of a plurality of optical space communication devices and performs optical space communication via optical space communication paths set between the optical space communication devices.

This embodiment can be suitably applied to work that is performed using optical space communication and in which the connection relationship between optical space communication devices changes depending on the process. Examples of such work include, but are not limited to, construction and inspection.

Optical space communication is communication that uses light propagating through space. Light used in optical space communication can include millimeter waves, submillimeter waves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, etc. In order to set up an optical space communication path between two optical space communication devices, it is necessary to align the optical axes of the two optical space communication devices for optical space communication. Optical axis alignment for optical space communication refers to aligning the optical axis of the light transmitting and receiving unit of one optical space communication device with the optical axis of the light transmitting and receiving unit of the other optical space communication device.

Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an optical space communication control system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 1, each block shows the configuration of a functional unit. Therefore, the blocks shown in Figure 1 may be implemented in a single device, or may be implemented in multiple devices. In addition, some or all of the blocks may be implemented as functions in the cloud or the like. The optical space communication control system 100 comprises a first detection means 101, a second detection means 102, and a connection control means 103.

The optical space communication control system 100 also controls the optical space communication device 10b. The optical space communication device 10b controlled by the optical space communication control system 100 is sometimes referred to as a first optical space communication device. The optical space communication control system 100 may be configured to be capable of communicating with the optical space communication device 10b, or a part or all of the optical space communication control system 100 may be provided in the optical space communication device 10b.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the connection relationship between optical space communication devices in each process. A connection refers to a state in which optical space communication is possible between optical space communication devices. It can be said that optical axis alignment is performed between connected optical space communication devices. A connection relationship refers to whether or not optical space communication devices are connected to each other. In the example shown in Figure 2, optical space communication devices 10a and 10c exist as optical space communication devices adjacent to optical space communication device 10b. Optical space communication devices 10a, 10b, and 10c are sometimes collectively referred to as optical space communication device 10. In addition, in this specification, a second optical space communication device adjacent to a first optical space communication device refers to an optical space communication device that is at a distance that allows connection with the first optical space communication device by optical space communication, and may be singular or plural.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, in step 1, the optical space communication device 10a and the optical space communication device 10c are connected to the optical space communication device 10b, and in step 2, the optical space communication device 10a and the optical space communication device 10c are not connected to the optical space communication device 10b.

The first detection means 101 detects a change in the connection relationship between the optical space communication device 10b (first optical space communication device) and an optical space communication device (second optical space communication device, for example, optical space communication device 10a, 10c) adjacent to the optical space communication device 10b. The first detection means 101 may detect a change in the connection relationship between the optical space communication device 10b and the optical space communication device 10a, may detect a change in the connection relationship between the optical space communication device 10b and the optical space communication device 10c, or may detect a change in the connection relationship between the optical space communication device 10b and the optical space communication device 10a and the optical space communication device 10c. Note that the optical space communication device (second optical space communication device) adjacent to the optical space communication device 10b may be rephrased as an adjacent optical space communication device to which the optical space communication device 10b is connected for optical space communication.

The second detection means 102 detects a process transition based on the change in the connection relationship detected by the first detection means 101 and the plan information indicating the connection relationship between the optical space communication devices 10 in each process. A process transition refers to a shift in a process being executed according to a plan. A process transition includes not only a shift to the next process in the order defined in the plan, but also a shift to the previous process or other processes in the order defined in the plan. The plan information indicates the order between each process constituting the plan and the contents of each configuration, and in this embodiment indicates the connection relationship between the optical space communication devices in each process as shown in FIG. 2.

The second detection means 102 detects a transition of a process by determining to which process the connection relationship after the change detected by the first detection means 101 corresponds. In other words, if the connection relationship after the change detected by the first detection means 101 does not correspond to the connection relationship in the current process but corresponds to the connection relationship in the next process, the second detection means 102 can detect that a transition has occurred to the next process.

As an example, the first detection means 101 detects that the connection relationship between the optical space communications device 10b and the optical space communications device 10a has changed (released) from "connected" to "disconnected." In this case, the second detection means 102 refers to the plan information and determines that the connection relationship in which the optical space communications device 10b and the optical space communications device 10a are "disconnected" corresponds to the connection relationship in step 2, and detects that a transition has occurred from step 1 to step 2.

The connection control means 103 controls the connection destination of the optical space communications device 10b (first optical space communications device) in accordance with the process transition detected by the second detection means 102. For example, the connection control means 103 refers to the plan information and controls the connection destination of the optical space communications device 10b so that it corresponds to the connection relationship of the process after the transition in the process transition detected by the second detection means 102.

As an example, the second detection means 102 detects a transition from step 1 to step 2, and the planning information determines that the connection relationship between the optical space communications device 10b and the optical space communications device 10c is "disconnected" in step 2. In this case, the connection control means 103 controls the connection destination of the optical space communications device 10b so that the connection relationship between the optical space communications device 10b and the optical space communications device 10c is "disconnected."

With the above configuration, the optical free space communication control system 100 can detect process transitions and control the connection of the optical free space communication device 10 according to the detected process transition. With the above configuration, even in a situation where the connection relationship between the optical free space communication devices changes depending on the process, an optical free space communication network according to the process can be quickly constructed.

(Optical space communication control method)
The operation of the optical space communication control system (optical space communication control method) according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the optical space communication control system 100.

In step S301, the first detection means 101 detects a change in the connection relationship between the optical space communications device 10b (first optical space communications device) and an optical space communications device adjacent to the optical space communications device 10b (second optical space communications device, e.g., optical space communications devices 10a and 10c).

In step S302, the second detection means 102 detects a process transition based on the detected change in the connection relationship and the planning information indicating the connection relationship between the optical space communication devices 10 in each process.

Then, in step S303, the connection control means 103 controls the connection destination of the optical space communications device 10b (first optical space communications device) according to the detected transition of the process.

(Optical space communication control device)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the optical space communication control device 400 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The first detection unit 401 has a function equivalent to the first detection means 101, and detects a change in the connection relationship between the optical space communication device 10b (first optical space communication device) and the optical space communication device adjacent to the optical space communication device 10b (second optical space communication device. For example, the optical space communication device 10a, 10c). The second detection unit 402 has a function equivalent to the second detection means 102, and detects a transition of a process based on the change in the connection relationship detected by the first detection unit 401 and the plan information indicating the connection relationship between the optical space communication devices 10 in each process. The connection control unit 403 has a function equivalent to the connection control means 103, and controls the connection destination of the optical space communication device 10b (first optical space communication device) according to the transition of the process detected by the second detection unit 402.

The first detection unit 401, the second detection unit 402, and the connection control unit 403 may be a computer device in which processing is performed by a processor executing a program stored in a memory. A part or all of the first detection unit 401, the second detection unit 402, and the connection control unit 403 may be provided in the optical space communication device 10b (first optical space communication device), or may be a computer device that communicates with the optical space communication device 10b. For example, the first detection unit 401, the second detection unit 402, and the connection control unit 403 may be a single computer device, or may be a computer device group in which multiple computer devices operate in cooperation with each other, or a server device group in which multiple server devices operate in cooperation with each other. According to the optical space communication control device 400, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the optical space communication control system 100.

Second Embodiment
An optical space communication control system 500 according to the second embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The following describes the application to a construction site where optical space communication is used and the connection relationships between optical space communication devices change depending on the construction process, but this embodiment is not limited to this and can be applied to any work in which the connection relationships between optical space communication devices change depending on the process.

Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an optical space communications device 50 equipped with an optical space communications control system 500 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 5, each block shows a functional unit configuration. Therefore, the blocks shown in Figure 5 may be implemented in a single device, or may be implemented in multiple devices. In addition, some or all of the blocks may be implemented as functions in the cloud, etc.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the optical space communication device 50 includes an optical space communication control system 500 in addition to a light transmitting/receiving unit 51 and a communication control unit 52. However, this embodiment is not limited to this configuration, and a part or all of the optical space communication control system 500 may be provided outside the optical space communication device 50 (for example, a system management device 60 described later).

In the example shown in FIG. 5, for the optical space communication control system 500, the optical space communication device 50 equipped with the optical space communication control system 500 is the "first optical space communication device" that is the control target of the optical space communication control system 500 (see the first embodiment). Even if a part of the optical space communication control system 500 is equipped in the optical space communication device 50 and the rest is outside the optical space communication device 50, the optical space communication device 50 equipped with a part of the optical space communication control system 500 is the "first optical space communication device" that is the control target of the optical space communication control system 500. And the optical space communication device 50 adjacent to the optical space communication device 50 that is the first optical space communication device is the "second optical space communication device". In other words, the first optical space communication device and the second optical space communication device are different for each optical space communication control system 500.

In addition, when the entire optical space communication control system 500 exists in a device external to the optical space communication device 50 (for example, the system management device 60 described below), the optical space communication control system 500 may control multiple optical space communication devices 50. In this case, when the optical space communication control system 500 controls a certain optical space communication device 50, the certain optical space communication device 50 corresponds to the "first optical space communication device", and when the optical space communication control system 500 controls a different optical space communication device 50, the different optical space communication device 50 corresponds to the "first optical space communication device". In other words, the first optical space communication device and the second optical space communication device are different for each process of the optical space communication control system 500.

As shown in FIG. 5, the optical space communication control system 500 includes a first detection means 501, a second detection means 502, a connection control means 503, and a storage means 504.

The light transmitting/receiving unit 51 transmits and receives light used for optical space communication. The communication control unit 52 controls the light transmitting/receiving unit 51 to perform optical space communication.

The first detection means 501, like the first detection means 101 in the first embodiment, detects a change in the connection relationship between the optical space communication device 50, which is the first optical space communication device, and the second optical space communication device adjacent to the optical space communication device 50, which is the first optical space communication device.

The second detection means 502, like the second detection means 102 in the first embodiment, detects the transition of the process based on the change in the connection relationship detected by the first detection means 501, by referring to the planning information indicating the connection relationship between the optical space communication devices 50 in each process.

The connection control means 503, like the connection control means 103 in the first embodiment, controls the connection destination of the optical space communication device 50, which is the first optical space communication device, in response to the process transition detected by the second detection means 502.

The memory means 504 has storage in which the planning information is stored, and provides the planning information to the second detection means 502 and the connection control means 503.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the connection relationship between optical space communications devices 50 in each process. In the example shown in Figure 6, optical space communications devices 50a to 50j are shown as the optical space communications devices 50. The optical space communications devices 50a to 50j are sometimes collectively referred to as optical space communications devices 50. Each optical space communications device 50 is provided with an optical space communications control system 500 that controls the optical space communications device 50. In other words, for the optical space communications control system 500 provided in each optical space communications device 50, the optical space communications device 50 is the first optical space communications device.

In addition, each optical space communication device 50 is directly or indirectly connected to the system management device 60 and communicates with the system management device 60.

In detail, optical space communication devices 50a and 50g are connected to the system management device 60, and optical space communication device 50b is connected to optical space communication device 50a. Optical space communication devices 50c and 50e are connected to optical space communication device 50b. Optical space communication device 50d is connected to optical space communication device 50c. Optical space communication device 50f is connected to optical space communication device 50e. Optical space communication device 50h is connected to optical space communication device 50g. Optical space communication device 50i is connected to optical space communication device 50h. Optical space communication device 50j is connected to optical space communication device 50i.

The construction site where each optical space communication device 50 is used has a construction area and an area outside the construction area, which change depending on the process.

In step 1, the area 61 where the optical space communication devices 50e and 50f are located and the area 62 where the optical space communication devices 50c, 50d, 50i, and 50j are located are construction zones, and the area 63 where the optical space communication devices 50a, 50b, 50g, and 50h are located is outside the construction zone.

In step 2, areas 61 and 62 are outside the construction zone, and area 63 is a construction zone. Now that areas 61 and 62 are outside the construction zone, optical space communications devices 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f, 50i, and 50j in areas 61 and 62 are no longer needed, and connections to adjacent optical space communications devices 50 are released.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of planning information. The planning information indicates the connection relationships between the optical space communication devices 50 in each process as shown in Figure 6. The planning information includes process information for each process. Each process information includes process identification information for identifying the process, transition information indicating processes to which the process may transition, and identification information and information indicating the connection destination of each optical space communication device 50. The transition information mainly indicates the next process to be performed, but may also include the previous process if there is a possibility that the process may return to a previously performed process.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the plan information includes process information 1 to N. The process identification information included in each process information is not particularly limited, and for example, the process identification information included in process information 1 may be "1", the process identification information included in process information 2 may be "2", and the process identification information included in process information N may be "N". The transition information may include the process identification information of a process that may transition. In addition, each process information includes device identification information 1 to M and connection destinations 1 to M corresponding to the device identification information 1 to M, respectively. Each device identification information and each connection destination respectively indicates one of the optical space communication devices 50, and indicates that the optical space communication device 50 indicated by each device identification information and the optical space communication device 50 indicated by the connection destination corresponding to the device identification information are in a connected state.

For example, as planning information corresponding to steps 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 6, step information 1 may indicate optical space communications device 50b as the destination of optical space communications device 50a, optical space communications devices 50a, 50c, and 50e as the destinations of optical space communications device 50b, optical space communications devices 50b and 50d as the destinations of optical space communications device 50c, optical space communications device 50c as the destination of optical space communications device 50d, optical space communications devices 50b and 50f as the destinations of optical space communications device 50e, optical space communications device 50e as the destination of optical space communications device 50f, optical space communications device 50h as the destination of optical space communications device 50g, optical space communications devices 50g and 50i as the destinations of optical space communications device 50h, optical space communications devices 50h and 50j as the destinations of optical space communications device 50i, and optical space communications device 50i as the destination of optical space communications device 50j. Furthermore, the process information 2 may indicate that the optical space communication device 50a is connected to the optical space communication device 50b, the optical space communication device 50b is connected to the optical space communication device 50a, the optical space communication device 50g is connected to the optical space communication device 50h, the optical space communication device 50h is connected to the optical space communication device 50g, and there are no other optical space communication devices 50 connected to it.

Next, the operation of the optical space communication control system 500 in the example shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. As an example, when construction is completed in the area 61 and the connection between the optical space communication device 50f and the optical space communication device 50e is manually released, the optical space communication control system 500 of the optical space communication device 50e operates as follows. In the optical space communication control system 500, the optical space communication device 50e corresponds to the first optical space communication device, and the optical space communication devices 50b and 50f correspond to the second optical space communication devices. First, the first detection means 501 detects that the connection with the optical space communication device 50f has been released. The second detection means 502 refers to the plan information and determines that the connection state without the connection with the optical space communication device 50f does not correspond to the connection state of step 1, but corresponds to the connection state of step 2, and determines that a transition has been made to step 2. The connection control means 503 refers to the plan information, determines that the optical space communication device 50b is not included in the connection destination of the optical space communication device 50e in step 2, and disconnects the optical space communication device 50e from the optical space communication device 50b. Similarly, the optical space communication control system 500 of the optical space communication device 50c and the optical space communication control system 500 of the optical space communication device 50i also detect a transition to step 2 when the connection between the optical space communication device 50d and the optical space communication device 50c and the connection between the optical space communication device 50j and the optical space communication device 50i are manually disconnected, and disconnect the connection between the optical space communication device 50c and the optical space communication device 50b and the connection between the optical space communication device 50i and the optical space communication device 50h. In this way, the optical space communication control system 500 provided in each optical space communication device 50 can quickly build an optical space communication network according to the step even in a situation where the connection relationship between the optical space communication devices changes depending on the step.

In addition, when the optical space communication control system 500 is provided within the optical space communication device 50, there is no time lag due to communication, compared to when the connection destination is controlled by instructions from the system management device 60 that manages the optical space communication device 50 or by manual input of instructions, making it possible to quickly build an optical space communication network according to the process.

(Modification)
In the above, the configuration in which each optical space communication device 50 is provided with the optical space communication control system 500 has been mainly described, but this embodiment is not limited to this configuration. The optical space communication control system 500 may be provided in part or in whole in the system management device 60. For example, the optical space communication device 50 may be provided with the first detection means 501, and the second detection means 502, the connection control means 503, and the storage means 504 may be provided in the system management device 60. Also, for example, the first detection means 501, the second detection means 502, the connection control means 503, and the storage means 504 may be provided in the system management device 60. In this way, when the system management device 60 is provided with the connection control means 503 corresponding to the optical space communication device 50 (first optical space communication device), the connection control means 503 may communicate with the corresponding optical space communication device 50 (first optical space communication device) for control instructions. The control instructions may include an instruction for the scan direction and identification information of the second optical space communication device to be connected.

Although the second embodiment has been described above as an optical space communication control system 500, the optical space communication control system 500 according to the second embodiment may be mounted on a single device to form an optical space communication control device. In this case, as described above, the optical space communication control device may be provided in the optical space communication device (first optical space communication device) that is the control target of the optical space communication control device. In addition, the optical space communication control method according to the second embodiment may be the operation of the optical space communication control system 500 according to the second embodiment. In this case, as described above, the subject that executes the optical space communication control method may be provided in the optical space communication device (first optical space communication device) that is the control target of the optical space communication control method.

[Third embodiment]
An optical space communication control system 900 according to the third embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first or second embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an optical space communication control system 900 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 9, each block shows a functional unit configuration. Therefore, the blocks shown in Figure 9 may be implemented in a single device, or may be implemented in multiple devices. In addition, some or all of the blocks may be implemented as functions in the cloud or the like. As shown in Figure 9, the optical space communication control system 900 includes a first detection means 501, a second detection means 502, a connection control means 903, a storage means 504, and a notification means 905. Also, as in the second embodiment, the optical space communication control system 900 is provided in an optical space communication device 50, and the optical space communication device 50 is the "first optical space communication device" that is the control target of the optical space communication control system 900.

The notification means 905 notifies an optical space communication device 50 (third optical space communication device) different from the optical space communication device 50 (first optical space communication device) equipped with the optical space communication control system 900 of the process transition detected by the second detection means 502. The notification means 905 may, for example, control the communication control unit 52 to transmit the notification via optical space communication, or may transmit the notification via other communication means (for example, wireless communication means not shown). The third optical space communication device may also be referred to as the notification destination optical space communication device.

The notification means 905 may notify the process transition to any destination without any particular limitation, and may notify all third optical space communications devices, may notify a third optical space communications device that is directly or indirectly connected to the system management device 60, or may notify a third optical space communications device that relays between the optical space communications device 50 (first optical space communications device) that includes the optical space communications control system 900 and the system management device 60 in the process after the transition.

The notification means 905 may also identify a third optical space communications device that will experience a change in its connection relationship with an adjacent optical space communications device 50 in response to a process transition based on the planning information, and notify the identified third optical space communications device of the process transition.

Note that an optical space communication device 50 directly or indirectly connected to the system management device 60 refers to an optical space communication device 50 that is connected so as to be able to communicate with the system management device 60, and an optical space communication device 50 directly connected to the system management device 60 is an optical space communication device 50 that communicates directly with the system management device 60, and an optical space communication device 50 indirectly connected to the system management device 60 is an optical space communication device 50 that communicates with the system management device 60 via another optical space communication device.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 10, when the second detection means 502 detects a transition to step 2 in the optical space communication control system 900 of the optical space communication device 50e, the notification means 905 may notify the optical space communication devices 50b and 50a that relay between the optical space communication device 50e and the system management device 60 of information indicating the transition to step 2 in step 2 after the transition. This allows the optical space communication control system 900 of the optical space communication device 50e to notify the optical space communication device 50 involved in the optical space communication with the system management device 60 of the optical space communication device 50e itself of the transition of the step. This allows the optical space communication device 50e to perform the minimum notification necessary to ensure optical space communication with its own system management device 60.

In addition, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 10, when the second detection means 502 detects a transition to step 2 in the optical space communication control system 900 of the optical space communication device 50e, the notification means 905 may notify information indicating the transition to step 2 to the optical space communication devices 50b to 50d, 50f, and 50h to 50j, whose connection relationships with adjacent optical space communication devices 50 change in response to the transition from step 1 to step 2. This makes it possible to perform the minimum necessary notifications to respond to the step transition.

Then, the notification means 905 can notify the third optical space communications device of the detected process transition, thereby controlling the connection destination of the third optical space communications device. In other words, the connection control means of the optical space communications control system that controls the third optical space communications device that has been notified of the process transition may control the connection destination of the third optical space communications device based on the notified process transition and the planning information.

For example, the optical space communication control system connection control means, which controls the third optical space communication device that has been notified of a process transition, may perform the same control as when the second detection means detects a process transition when a process transition is notified. In this way, when the optical space communication control system 900 of one optical space communication device 50 detects a process transition, the optical space communication control system 900 of the other optical space communication device 50 can also perform control based on the detected process transition, and control of the connection relationships associated with the process transition can be automated.

Although the third embodiment has been described above as an optical space communication control system 900, the optical space communication control system 900 according to the third embodiment may be mounted on one device to form an optical space communication control device. In this case, as described above, the optical space communication control device may be provided in the optical space communication device (first optical space communication device) that is the control target of the optical space communication control device. In addition, the optical space communication control method according to the third embodiment may be the operation of the optical space communication control system 900 according to the third embodiment. In this case, as described above, the subject that executes the optical space communication control method may be provided in the optical space communication device (first optical space communication device) that is the control target of the optical space communication control method.

[Fourth embodiment]
An optical space communication control system 1100 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first to third embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an optical space communication control system 1100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 11, each block shows a functional unit configuration. Therefore, the blocks shown in Figure 11 may be implemented in a single device, or may be implemented in multiple devices. In addition, some or all of the blocks may be implemented as functions in the cloud, etc. As shown in Figure 11, the optical space communication control system 1100 includes a first detection means 1101, a second detection means 1102, a connection control means 903, and a storage means 1104. An example of plan information stored in the storage means 1104 is shown in Figure 12. Also, as in the second embodiment, the optical space communication control system 1100 is provided in the optical space communication device 50, and the optical space communication device 50 is the "first optical space communication device" to be controlled by the optical space communication control system 1100.

The first detection means 1101 detects a change in the position of the adjacent optical space communications device 50 (second optical space communications device) relative to the position of the optical space communications device 50, which is the first optical space communications device, based on the alignment of the optical axes between the optical space communications device 50, which is the first optical space communications device, and the optical space communications device 50 (second optical space communications device) adjacent to the optical space communications device 50, which is the first optical space communications device.

In order to perform optical space communication between optical space communication devices 50, the optical axes of the optical space communication devices 50 must be aligned. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of optical axis alignment by an optical space communication device 50. In the following, as an example, a flow in which an optical space communication device 50a performs scanning and aligns its optical axis with an optical space communication device 50b is explained, but optical axis alignment between any optical space communication devices can be performed in the same manner.

As shown in FIG. 13, the optical space communication devices 50a and 50b include a light transmitting/receiving unit 131 and a communication control unit 132.

The light transmitting/receiving unit 131 transmits and receives light used in optical space communication. As an example, the light transmitting/receiving unit 131 of the optical space communication device 50a transmits light directed within a predetermined angle range, and the light is received by the light transmitting/receiving unit 131 of the optical space communication device 50b, thereby enabling optical space communication. Here, the specific configuration for the light transmitting/receiving unit 131 to direct the light is not limited to these, but as an example, the light transmitting/receiving unit 131 may be:
The configuration may include: a beamforming antenna that directs and transmits millimeter waves or submillimeter waves within a specified angular range; a collimator that collimates infrared light, visible light, or ultraviolet light; a laser oscillator that generates an infrared, visible light, or ultraviolet laser; and a modulator that modulates the laser by changing the phase of a liquid crystal.

The communication control unit 132 controls the light transmitting and receiving unit 131 to align the optical axis. To align the optical axis, the communication control unit 132 causes the light transmitting and receiving unit 131 to emit scanning light 133 while changing the direction (scanning with scanning light 133). Then, the scanning light 133 emitted in the correct direction from the light transmitting and receiving unit 131 of the optical space communications device 50a is received by the light transmitting and receiving unit 131 of the optical space communications device 50b.

Here, scanning with the scanning light 134 refers, as an example, to a search performed to identify the position of the optical space communications device 50b. The term "scan" is not intended to specify a specific scanning order or the like. The scanning light 134 includes identification information that identifies the optical space communications device 50a, and directional information (azimuth angle, elevation angle, and depression angle) indicating in which direction it was sent.

When the light transmitting/receiving unit 131 of the optical space communications device 50b can receive the scanning light 133, i.e., when the optical axes of the light transmitting/receiving units 131 coincide, the communication control unit 132 of the optical space communications device 50b acquires the identification information and direction information contained in the scanning light 133 and identifies the direction of the optical space communications device 50a. In addition, the communication control unit 132 of the optical space communications device 50b identifies the distance to the optical space communications device 50a based on the attenuation of the scanning light 133. This allows the communication control unit 132 of the optical space communications device 50b to identify the relative position of the optical space communications device 50a.

Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the communication control unit 132 of the optical space communication device 50b causes the light transmitting/receiving unit 131 to transmit a response light 144 toward the light transmitting/receiving unit 131 of the optical space communication device 50a. The response light 144 contains identification information for identifying the optical space communication device 50b, direction information obtained from the scanning light 133, and distance information to the optical space communication device 50a identified by the communication control unit 132 of the optical space communication device 50b. When the light transmitting/receiving unit 131 of the optical space communication device 50a receives the response light 144, the communication control unit 132 of the optical space communication device 50b obtains the identification information, direction information, and distance information contained in the scanning light 133, and can identify the direction and distance of the optical space communication device 50b and identify the relative position of the optical space communication device 50b. This completes the optical axis alignment.

As described above, the position information of each optical space communication device 50 can be identified based on the optical axis alignment between the optical space communication devices 50, so that the first detection means 1101 can detect a change in the position of an adjacent optical space communication device 50 (second optical space communication device).

It is also possible to obtain absolute position information of each optical space communication device by the following mechanism. For example, if a fixed optical space communication device (hereinafter referred to as optical space communication device A) holds absolute position information of optical space communication device A, such as information indicating latitude and longitude, or information indicating coordinates on a map corresponding to the communication area of the optical space communication network, optical space communication device A can estimate absolute position information of the surrounding optical space communication devices from relative position information between optical space communication device A and the surrounding optical space communication devices obtained by optical axis alignment, and absolute position information of optical space communication device A.

In addition, by having optical space communications device A share the absolute position information of optical space communications device A that it holds with other optical space communications devices, optical space communications devices other than the optical space communications device can also estimate the absolute position information of each optical space communications device. This makes it possible to grasp the absolute position of each optical space communications device at any time, and by comparing it with the movement route information, it is possible to estimate an interruption of optical space communications.

As shown in FIG. 12, the planning information stored in the storage means 1104 further indicates the position of each optical space communication device 50 in each process. The second detection means 1102 detects the transition of the process based on the change in the position of the adjacent optical space communication device 50 (second optical space communication device) detected by the first detection means 1101. That is, the second detection means 1102 detects the transition of the process by determining whether the connection relationship with the adjacent optical space communication device 50 (second optical space communication device) detected by the first detection means 1101 and the position of the adjacent optical space communication device 50 (second optical space communication device) correspond to the connection relationship with each optical space communication device 50 and the position of each optical space communication device 50 in which process indicated by the planning information. This makes it possible to detect the transition of the process more accurately.

The fourth embodiment has been described above as the optical space communication control system 1100, but the optical space communication control system 1100 according to the fourth embodiment may be mounted on a single device to form an optical space communication control device. In this case, as described above, the optical space communication control device may be provided in the target optical space communication device. Furthermore, the optical space communication control method according to the fourth embodiment may be the operation of the optical space communication control system 1100 according to the fourth embodiment. In this case, as described above, the entity that executes the optical space communication control method may be provided in the target optical space communication device.

[Fifth embodiment]
An optical space communication control system 1500 according to the fifth embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first to fourth embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an optical space communication control system 1500 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 15, each block shows a functional unit configuration. Therefore, the blocks shown in Figure 15 may be implemented in a single device, or may be implemented in multiple devices. In addition, some or all of the blocks may be implemented as functions in the cloud or the like. As shown in Figure 15, the optical space communication control system 1500 includes a first detection means 501, a second detection means 1502, a connection control means 1503, and a storage means 504. Also, as in the second embodiment, the optical space communication control system 1500 is provided in an optical space communication device 50, which is a first optical space communication device.

The second detection means 1502 may detect an abnormality in the process transition when detecting the process transition. An abnormality in the process transition refers to a case where the connection relationship of the optical free space communication device is not similar to any of the processes indicated in the plan information. Examples of causes of an abnormality include when the optical free space communication device is installed in a position different from the intended installation position of the process, or when the optical free space communication device breaks down. The second detection means 1502 may detect an abnormality in the process transition when the connection relationship after the change detected by the first detection means does not correspond to the connection relationship in any of the processes indicated in the plan information.

The connection control means 1503 acquires process information held by the optical space communications device 50 (fourth optical space communications device) adjacent to the first optical space communications device 50 based on the abnormality in the process transition detected by the second detection means 1502, from the optical space communications device 50 (fourth optical space communications device), and controls the connection destination of the first optical space communications device, the optical space communications device 50, according to the process information. The fourth optical space communications device may also be referred to as a reference optical space communications device.

For example, when the second detection means 1502 detects an abnormality in the process transition, the connection control means 1503 acquires process information held by the optical space communication control system 1500 of the adjacent optical space communication device 50 (fourth optical space communication device). The process information from the adjacent optical space communication device 50 (fourth optical space communication device) may be acquired, for example, via optical space communication or via other communication means (for example, wireless communication means not shown). Note that the process information held by the adjacent optical space communication device 50 (fourth optical space communication device) refers to the process after the transition most recently detected by the second detection means 1502 of the adjacent optical space communication device 50 (fourth optical space communication device), or the initial process if no process transition has been detected.

Then, the connection control means 1503 refers to the planning information and controls the connection destination of the optical space communications device 50, which is the first optical space communications device, so that it corresponds to the connection relationship indicated by the process information obtained from the adjacent optical space communications device 50 (fourth optical space communications device).

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 16, in the optical space communication control system 1500 of the optical space communication device 50e, the connection relationship detected by the first detection means 501 (connected to the optical space communication devices 50b and 50c) does not correspond to any of the connection relationships of the processes indicated in the plan information, so the second detection means 1502 detects an abnormality in the transition of the processes. Then, the connection control means 1503 obtains process 2 from the optical space communication device 50b or 50c as process information held by the optical space communication device 50b or 50c, and controls the connection destination of the optical space communication device 50e so that it corresponds to the connection relationship of process 2 indicated in the plan information. This makes it possible to resolve the abnormality.

The fifth embodiment has been described above as the optical space communication control system 1500, but the optical space communication control system 1500 according to the fifth embodiment may be mounted on a single device to form an optical space communication control device. In this case, as described above, the optical space communication control device may be provided in the target optical space communication device. Furthermore, the optical space communication control method according to the fifth embodiment may be the operation of the optical space communication control system 1500 according to the fifth embodiment. In this case, as described above, the entity that executes the optical space communication control method may be provided in the first optical space communication device.

[Application example]
In the second to fifth embodiments, examples of application to a construction site using optical space communication have been described, but as mentioned above, each embodiment is not limited to this and can be applied to general work in which the connection relationship between optical space communication devices changes depending on the process.

For example, when using optical space communication to inspect power lines, bridge girders, etc., the inspection location may be moved for each process. In such cases, it is necessary to change the connection relationship between the optical space communication devices in order to perform optical space communication near the inspection location. Even in such cases, by applying the above-described embodiment, it is possible to semi-automatically change the connection relationship between the optical space communication devices for each process.

This disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. The technical scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the configurations, operations, and processes disclosed in different embodiments.

Each configuration according to the first to fifth embodiments may be configured by one piece of hardware. Each configuration according to the first to fifth embodiments may be configured by one piece of software. Each configuration according to the first to fifth embodiments may be configured by a plurality of pieces of hardware. Each configuration according to the first to fifth embodiments may be configured by a plurality of pieces of software. The first to fourth embodiments may be realized by a combination of hardware and software. Each function according to the first to fifth embodiments may be implemented on the cloud. Each device, each function, and each process may be realized by a computer having a processor 1701 and a memory 1702 as shown in FIG. 17. For example, a program for implementing the optical space communication control method described in the first to fifth embodiments may be stored in the memory 1702, and the processor 1701 may read and execute the program stored in the memory 1702 to realize each function described in the first to fifth embodiments.

The program includes a set of instructions that, when loaded into a computer, causes the computer to execute one or more of the functions described in the first to fifth embodiments. The program is stored in memory 1702. The processor 1701 may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 1602 may be, for example, a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a flash memory, a Solid State Drive (SSD), etc.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In other words, the present invention can be applied in various aspects that a person skilled in the art can understand within the scope of the present disclosure. Note that some or all of the above-described embodiments can also be described as follows. However, the present invention is not limited to the aspects described below.

[Appendix 1]
a first detection means for detecting a change in a connection relationship between a first optical space communications device and a second optical space communications device adjacent to the first optical space communications device;
a second detection means for detecting a transition of a process based on the detected change in the connection relationship and plan information indicating a connection relationship between the first optical space communications device and the second optical space communications device in each process;
a connection control means for controlling a connection destination of the first optical space communications device in response to the detected transition of the process.

[Appendix 2]
The optical space communications control system according to claim 1, further comprising a notification means for notifying a third optical space communications device different from the first optical space communications device of the detected process transition.

[Appendix 3]
The optical space communications control system according to claim 2, wherein the notification means notifies the third optical space communications device that relays between the first target optical space communications device and a management device of the detected process transition.

[Appendix 4]
The optical space communications control system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the notification means notifies the third optical space communications device of the detected process transition, thereby causing the third optical space communications device to control the connection destination of the third optical space communications device.

[Appendix 5]
The first detection means further detects a change in the position of the second optical space communications device relative to the position of the first optical space communications device based on optical axis alignment between the first optical space communications device and the second optical space communications device;
The plan information further indicates a position of each optical space communications device in each process,
The second detection means detects a transition of the process further based on a change in the position of the second optical space communication device detected by the first detection means. The optical space communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[Appendix 6]
The optical space communications control system according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, wherein the connection control means acquires process information held by a fourth optical space communications device adjacent to the first optical space communications device based on the detected abnormality in the transition of the process, and controls the connection destination of the first optical space communications device according to the process information.

[Appendix 7]
A connection control unit that controls a connection destination of the optical space communication;
A first detection unit that detects a change in a connection relationship between the optical space communication device and an adjacent optical space communication device that is a connection destination of the optical space communication;
a second detection unit that detects a transition of a process by referring to plan information indicating a connection relationship of the optical space communication in each process based on the change in the connection relationship detected by the first detection unit;
Equipped with
The connection control unit controls a connection destination of the optical space communication in response to the transition of the process detected by the second detection unit.

[Appendix 8]
The optical space communications control device according to claim 7, further comprising a notification unit that notifies a notification destination optical space communications device of the detected process transition.

[Appendix 9]
The optical space communications control device according to claim 8, wherein the notification unit notifies the detected process transition to the notification destination optical space communications device that relays communication to a management device.

[Appendix 10]
The optical space communication control device described in Appendix 8 or 9, wherein the connection control unit controls the connection destination of the notified optical space communication device by notifying the notified optical space communication device of the detected process transition.

[Appendix 11]
The first detection unit further detects a change in position of the adjacent optical space communications device based on optical axis alignment with the adjacent optical space communications device,
The plan information further indicates a position of each optical space communications device in each process,
The second detection unit detects a transition of the process based on a change in the position of the adjacent optical space communication device detected by the first detection unit.

[Appendix 12]
The optical space communication control device described in any one of Appendices 7 to 11, wherein the connection control unit acquires process information held by the reference optical space communication device from the reference optical space communication device based on the detected abnormality in the transition of the process, and controls the connection destination of the optical space communication according to the process information.

[Appendix 13]
Detecting a change in a connection relationship between a first optical space communications device and a second optical space communications device adjacent to the first optical space communications device;
Detecting a transition of a process based on the detected change in the connection relationship and plan information indicating the connection relationship between the optical space communications devices in each process;
An optical space communications control method, comprising: controlling a connection destination of the first optical space communications device in response to the detected transition of the process.

[Appendix 14]
The optical space communications control method according to claim 13, further comprising notifying a third optical space communications device different from the first optical space communications device of the detected transition of the process.

[Appendix 15]
The optical space communications control method according to claim 14, further comprising notifying the third optical space communications device that relays communications between the first optical space communications device and a management device of the detected process transition.

[Appendix 16]
The optical space communications control method according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising notifying the third optical space communications device of the detected process transition, thereby causing the third optical space communications device to control a connection destination of the third optical space communications device.

[Appendix 17]
Based on the optical axis alignment between the first optical space communications device and the second optical space communications device, a change in the position of the second optical space communications device relative to the position of the first optical space communications device is further detected;
The plan information further indicates a position of each optical space communications device in each process,
The optical space communication control method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising detecting a transition of the process based on a detected change in the position of the second optical space communication device.

[Appendix 18]
An optical space communications control method according to any one of appendices 13 to 17, comprising: acquiring process information held by a fourth optical space communications device adjacent to the first optical space communications device based on the detected abnormality in the transition of the process; and controlling a connection destination of the first optical space communications device according to the process information.

10, 50 Optical space communication device 60 System management device 61, 62, 63 Area 100, 500, 900, 1100, 1500 Optical space communication control system 101, 501, 1101 First detection means 102, 502, 1102, 1502 Second detection means 103, 503, 903, 1503 Connection control means 131 Light transmitting/receiving unit 132 Optical axis alignment unit 133 Scanning light 144 Response light 400 Optical space communication control device 401 First detection means 402 Second detection means 403 Connection control means 504, 1104 Storage means 905 Notification means 1701 Processor 1702 Memory

Claims (10)

a first detection means for detecting a change in a connection relationship between a first optical space communications device and a second optical space communications device adjacent to the first optical space communications device;
a second detection means for detecting a transition of a process based on the detected change in the connection relationship and plan information indicating a connection relationship between the first optical space communications device and the second optical space communications device in each process;
a connection control means for controlling a connection destination of the first optical space communications device in response to the detected transition of the process. The optical space communication control system according to claim 1, further comprising a notification means for notifying a third optical space communication device different from the first optical space communication device of the detected process transition. The optical space communication control system according to claim 2, wherein the notification means notifies the third optical space communication device, which relays communication between the first optical space communication device and the management device, of the detected process transition. The optical space communication control system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the notification means notifies the third optical space communication device of the detected process transition, thereby controlling the connection destination of the third optical space communication device. The first detection means further detects a change in the position of the second optical space communications device relative to the position of the first optical space communications device based on optical axis alignment between the first optical space communications device and the second optical space communications device;
The plan information further indicates a position of each optical space communications device in each process,
The optical space communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second detection means detects a transition of the process further based on a change in the position of the second optical space communication device detected by the first detection means. The optical space communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connection control means acquires process information held by a fourth optical space communication device adjacent to the first optical space communication device based on the detected abnormality in the transition of the process, and controls the connection destination of the first optical space communication device according to the process information. A connection control unit that controls a connection destination of the optical space communication;
A first detection unit that detects a change in a connection relationship between the optical space communication device and an adjacent optical space communication device that is a connection destination of the optical space communication;
a second detection unit that detects a transition of a process by referring to plan information indicating a connection relationship of the optical space communication in each process based on the change in the connection relationship detected by the first detection unit;
Equipped with
The connection control unit controls a connection destination of the optical space communication in response to the transition of the process detected by the second detection unit. The optical space communication control device according to claim 7, wherein the connection control unit acquires process information held by the optical space communication device to which the optical space communication is connected based on the detected abnormality in the transition of the process, and controls the connection destination of the optical space communication according to the process information. Detecting a change in a connection relationship between a first optical space communications device and a second optical space communications device adjacent to the first optical space communications device;
Detecting a transition of a process based on the detected change in the connection relationship and plan information indicating the connection relationship between the optical space communications devices in each process;
An optical space communications control method, comprising: controlling a connection destination of the first optical space communications device in response to the detected transition of the process. The optical space communication control method according to claim 9, further comprising: acquiring process information held by a fourth optical space communication device adjacent to the first optical space communication device based on the detected abnormality in the transition of the process; and controlling the connection destination of the first optical space communication device according to the process information.

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